Washington (CNN) – At two distinct points during Tuesday's State of the Union address, President Barack Obama mentioned his 2012 presidential opponent, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.

When Obama announced "a non-partisan commission to improve the voting experience in America," the president said he would appoint a top attorney from his campaign as well as one from "Governor Romney's campaign."Follow @politicalticker

Earlier in the speech, when Obama supported pegging the minimum wage to the cost of living, the president noted that Romney supported the change.

"Here's an idea that Governor Romney and I actually agreed on last year: let's tie the minimum wage to the cost of living, so that it finally becomes a wage you can live on," Obama said.

A president mentioning the man he recently defeated in a State of the Union address is extremely unique.

Obama didn't mention Republican Sen. John McCain in his 2009 State of the Union address – a speech given just a few months after handily defeating him at the ballot box.

In 2005, after President George W. Bush defeated Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, the president never mentioned Kerry by name. The trend held in 2001, too. After defeating former Vice President Al Gore, Bush never mentioned the man he defeated.

In 1997, after defeating Sen. Bob Dole in the 1996 election, President Bill Clinton didn't mention his opponent either.

Clinton did, however, mention Dole in his 1996 State of the Union.

"We owe thanks especially to our veterans of World War II," Clinton said. "I would like to say to Senator Bob Dole and to all others in this Chamber who fought in World War II, and to all others on both sides of the aisle who have fought bravely in all our conflicts since: I salute your service, and so do the American people."

The reason Obama chose to mention Romney, according to Maria Cardona, a Democratic strategist and CNN contributor, is more for the American people and less for the members of Congress in attendance.

"The reason he is mentioning Romney now is to continues to bolster his case to the American people that was he is proposing are not left, socialist programs, that they are actually programs that have historically been supported and advocated by Republicans, including his opponent in the last election, Mitt Romney," Cardona said after the speech.

While, according to Cardona, Romney doesn't have much clout with Republicans in the House and Senate, he does have a lot of name recognition among American voters.

"It is aimed at the American people, in order to continue to make the case to the American people that he is trying," Cardona concluded.

soundoff(113 Responses)

Obama is not a very nice man either, and has done more to create class/race/civil war than any president since lincoln.
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Stop projecting Wilson.

February 13, 2013 11:56 am at 11:56 am |

Mark in NC

I agree with you Rudy NYC. The Republicans are just hating the fact President Obama is beating them at their own game. The President is playing a chess match with the right wing and beating them badly. The only thing is the Republicans cannot see the forest for the trees. They think they can outsmart the President but do not realize they are only hurting themselves by their foolish outbursts that hold no merit. The right cannot use any facts because the truth is against them. I hope that those that voted for Republicans in 2012 will smarten up by the midterm elections so that we can get a majority in the House of Representatives and finally get the much needed changes that are required for the middle class and the working poor to succeed.

February 13, 2013 11:58 am at 11:58 am |

Dominican mama 4 Obama

@ Wake up People!
But that's the GOP way. Accuse the other guy of the very thing you yourself are guilty of. Where I come from that's called "flipping the script".
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Yes indeed Wake up, the GOP has turned projecting into an art form.
Pitifully that's all they've got, flipping the script on you.

February 13, 2013 12:07 pm at 12:07 pm |

Al-NY,NY

sheppard

@Al-NY,NY – I hope your promise means more than the promise we got from that draft-dodger nugent. (I'll be dead or in jail if Obama gets re-elected) – Is your car packed? Do you need any help? How soon will you be hitting the road? This also means no visits back, right? You are leaving for good? Thank you.
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my car is NOT packed because i am not going anywhere. I never made any threat to leave the US. Not sure what you are talking about. I merely offered my help to an obviosuly-disgusted tightie rightie who wants to move to Canada because he doesn't like the current POTUS. If he doesn't want to be here, let him go. I was offering my assistance in getting him out of the US

February 13, 2013 12:16 pm at 12:16 pm |

Jesus Christ Superstar

Yeah... he was "reaching across the isle" like the GOP always whine that he doesn't do.

@Dominican Mama. You are so right.... They're like a bunch of ticked off teenaged Jocks.

February 13, 2013 12:20 pm at 12:20 pm |

Craig T

Sorry, as a Canadian talking to Republican's just a reminder, our taxes are high, we have socialized government funded medicare, we have a national 5% sales tax plus provincial sales taxes from 0% to 8%, three of our provinces have public auto insurance, Canada is a parliamentary democracy and at this period has a conservative government that Americans would consider to be a socialist. Canadians do not directly elect the Prime Minister, the leaders of the political parties are chosen by their parties, the leaders of the political parties run for election in their own ridding, if their party wins the general election the party leader becomes Prime Minister of Canada. Canada has strict gun laws, to own a fire arm you must have a Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL), you can not purchase long guns or ammunition with out this licence, for restricted firearms such as hand guns we are required to have restricted firearm permit as well as have passed Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course and an Authorization to Transport, issued by the Chief Firearms Officer (CFO) of their provincial or territorial jurisdiction, in order to transport a restricted firearm from one location to another. So the bottom line is we have no second amendment as to the right to posses or carry firearms and if you intend to visit or attempt to move to Canada, the great white north check your guns at the border or face arrest, fines and deportation.

February 13, 2013 12:25 pm at 12:25 pm |

Monomachos

Romney had many good ideas – unfortunately they were drowned out by media bias and the Obama campaign's character assassination. But, props to Obama for recognizing at least some of them.

February 13, 2013 12:40 pm at 12:40 pm |

Another Huge Obama Failure

This was hardly Obama's best moment. It was as partisan as anything the Republicans would have stated, and lacked a lot of the soaring cross party rhetoric of other Obama speeches. I gave it a B minus. And I think I was being generous.

February 13, 2013 12:46 pm at 12:46 pm |

Woman In California

The speech on a whole was very good but I wouldn't mention Willard Romney in any speech where the good of the people is concerned.

Last night, Boehner looked as if he had just been thrown out of the nearest bar and I found it totally disrespectful on his part, not to stand and honor Ms. Victor. As usual, any mention of "rights" for all upsets the republicans and they want no part of it. They couldn't wait to start their whinning last night and I'm starting to agree with the president when he laughs off these clowns. They have allowed this "community organizer" to beat them at every turn and they still can't figure out an answer to him. Dummies.

Rubio (another thirsty sidekick) was even worse than Jindal last night as he came off extremely over-sensitive, mad and unprofessional. Hypocrites such as Rubio make me sick putting down the government while they step into it. They can't wait to enjoy their government paychecks, pensions and all the other benefits but God forbid YOU want the same. Rubio lost any chance of being anything other than the worthless senator he to Paul last night and Paul will lose any chance to US. The republicans are a lost cause and as someone who supported the president, I hope they continue down this path.

February 13, 2013 12:46 pm at 12:46 pm |

Dominican mama 4 Obama

Craig T

Sorry, as a Canadian talking to Republican's just a reminder, our taxes are high, we have socialized government funded medicare, we have a national 5% sales tax plus provincial sales taxes from 0% to 8%, three of our provinces have public auto insurance,
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Sounds to me like you don't want the person that goes by the moniker Washington Is Out of Touch With Reality to move to Canada Craig, not that I blame you, mind you, but that means that we're still stuck with him. Dang!
We have to unload the truck AI, NY-NY! Canada doesn't want him either!! LOL!

February 13, 2013 01:05 pm at 1:05 pm |

Martha in CF

But we can't trust what Romney has said. During the campaign he told many many lies........

February 13, 2013 01:10 pm at 1:10 pm |

John the Histtorian

Willard will go down as one of the worst presidential candidates. How the Republicans coukld vote for a mormon cult follower who actually believes the garbage of that cult is beyond me and obviously the majority of Americans. Joseph Smith lied about seeing some archangel moroni. There was no 200 pound book of gold tablets that contained this fictional account of the book of mormon. Jews did not sail the Atlantic to become the ancestors of the American-Indians. Jesus Christ did not preach to the American-Indians. Jospeh Smith was a former Methodist who had 87 wives one as young as 14 so he was a rapist as well. Joseph Smith committed bank fraud and was a murderer. Brigham Young was a theocratic leader of Utah who had 70 wives and massacred non-mormons in Utah. I hope all mormons call for the disolution of this cult with their stolen practices and rituals from freemasonry. Brigham Young was alos a Methodist so just sell those temples to the Methodist church. Temples into churches what an idea.

February 13, 2013 01:11 pm at 1:11 pm |

Jerry

This man can sure be a real hypocrite and sure "pull the wool" over people's eyes. Everyone knows HE hates Mr. Romney. I always wonder HIS gall to disrespect the intellect and patriotism of the Américan people. And, gets away with it.

Bottom line, HE will not be contempt until HE drags this country into the ground.

Working across party line?! What a joke; it's more like dictating!!!

February 13, 2013 01:19 pm at 1:19 pm |

Canada

Hey, we'll help ya's out and take him. I mean, once they get up here they'll just get even more mad. might be worth a laugh. "In Soviet Canada, the road forks you! "

February 13, 2013 01:19 pm at 1:19 pm |

Woman In California

@Four, excuse me, I meant Wilson

Obama is not a very nice man either, and has done more to create class/race/civil war than any president since lincoln.

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Not that I agree with your comment, but if you work or ever worked or ever held a management job, you would know "nice" is not associated with good management. As far as the president creating class/race/civil war, I am now convinced you are afraid of change and will look to blame your shortcomings on anyone who doesn't look, sound or think as you do. Why don't you start by looking at the man in the mirror? Once you face your fears, you to, can become a productive member of society, a "nice" neighbor, friend, co-worker and patriot.

February 13, 2013 01:21 pm at 1:21 pm |

Dominican mama 4 Obama

Canada

Hey, we'll help ya's out and take him. I mean, once they get up here they'll just get even more mad. might be worth a laugh
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LOL!!!

February 13, 2013 01:24 pm at 1:24 pm |

Dave in Houston

I think most Americans have become Zombies.

February 13, 2013 01:29 pm at 1:29 pm |

John the Historian

I thought Willard went to the planet kolob to await his polygamist Jesus Christ. But what about Nauvoo, Illinois or Independence, Missouri ? I can't find the planet kolob HELP!!!! I need to find Brigham and Joseph Smith and Warren Jeffs and Glenn Beck. Help Help !!!

February 13, 2013 01:30 pm at 1:30 pm |

iceload9

"let's tie the minimum wage to the cost of living" Sounds funny since they just let the reduction in payroll tax lapse giving everyone a 2% increase in the payroll tax. The only reason Obama won is the GOP ran the poster boy for corporate greed.

February 13, 2013 01:52 pm at 1:52 pm |

TellasisPatel

I heard President Obama's State of the Union address, and I really liked it. Obama inherited many outstanding problems that other Presidents did not have guts to address or where they failed – like two wars, healthcare, immigration reform, economy, gun control, climate control, affordable education, etc. Fortunately, we now have a courageous leader who is a problem solver. I cannot say that about Sen. Rubio. His response was pathetic. He wasted the opportunity given to him by his party. May be Republicans wanted to help him to destroy his larger than life image and curb his ambition to be the next Republican nominee to become President. Thank you.

February 13, 2013 01:55 pm at 1:55 pm |

The Real Tom Paine

-Dominican mama 4 Obama

@ Wilson

Obama is not a very nice man either, and has done more to create class/race/civil war than any president since lincoln.
-----------------
Stop projecting Wilson.
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You'll have to excuse Wilson, aka Four. Ever since reading Ayn Rand, he/she/it has concluded that selfishness and being rude is a virtue, not that Wilson ever tried all that hard before. Its aobvious to anyone except the low information voters that inhabit the Rightie world that Obama has beaten them at every turn, even when they tried to wreck the economic recovery. Wilson hates the fact that it will take a lot of work and time to fix the damage the Right has done to this country, and we all know the Right is hoping for any distraction that comes along or can be manufactured in order to keep our attention off of that goal.

February 13, 2013 01:56 pm at 1:56 pm |

The Real Tom Paine

-Jerry

This man can sure be a real hypocrite and sure "pull the wool" over people's eyes. Everyone knows HE hates Mr. Romney. I always wonder HIS gall to disrespect the intellect and patriotism of the Américan people. And, gets away with it.

Bottom line, HE will not be contempt until HE drags this country into the ground.

Working across party line?! What a joke; it's more like dictating!!!
**************
Its called leadership, Jerry, and in the complete absence of leadership, ideas, and patriotism from the GOP, he has not choice. What is a joke is watching the GOP fracture into various spliter groups all vying to be seen as the purest of the bunch. What's next, 3 GOP responses in 2014? How about 4 or 5?

February 13, 2013 01:59 pm at 1:59 pm |

Ancient Texan

Martha in CF- Nope! Romney had many many lies told about him, by the other side.

February 13, 2013 02:00 pm at 2:00 pm |

bracey

tom paine it is called dividership and that is all Obama knows what to do. as long s his team has 51 points and the other 49 then he does not give a rap about the other 49. his actions tell the story. wake up!!